McCONNELL: I hope Marco Rubio changes his mind and runs for reelection

Mitch McConnell during an interview with Business Insider. Business Insider Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is hoping Marco Rubio, a Florida senator, decides to change his mind and run for reelection in the Senate.

During a Tuesday interview with Business Insider to promote his newly released memoir, " The Long Game," the Senate majority leader said a Rubio reentry into the race would be "good for him" and "good for the Senate."

Watch McConnell's comments below:

McConnell conducted an informal survey at a GOP caucus lunch last Thursday, according to Politico, during which he asked senators whether they wanted Rubio to jump back into the race for his seat.

Every hand in the room was reportedly raised.

McConnell's comments highlight the recent push from all corners of the party to urge Rubio to reconsider a bid for reelection.

Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee who was exceedingly critical of Rubio during the presidential primary, has pushed him to run.

"Poll data shows that @marcorubio does by far the best in holding onto his Senate seat in Florida," Trump tweeted last Thursday. "Important to keep the MAJORITY."

"Run Marco!" he exclaimed.

Marco Rubio. AP Photo/Andrew Harnik

The Florida battle for Rubio's seat is one of the most heavily contested contests in the nation — and to Trump's point, polling doesn't look great for Republicans. With control of the Senate in flux, the state is a near must-win for the GOP to retain a majority in the upper chamber of Congress and for McConnell to maintain his status as majority leader.

Rubio's preferred candidate in the GOP primary is Carlos Lopez-Cantera, the lieutenant governor of the state and a close friend of the senator. One problem for Lopez-Cantera? He's getting crushed in the polls by US Reps. Alan Grayson and Patrick Murphy, who are competing for the Democratic nomination. He's also facing a glut of four other primary challengers.